Dispensing device



Sept. 15, 1936. TEAD 2,054,660

DISPENSING DEVICE Filed April 20, 1954 s Sheets-Sheet 1 E I 60 -6 55 "I" J3 C l W /0 4/ 1 mu u 1| 6 v 2 W a j j a 1a 6 o 5/ \I \lN O, i m

5"" V /7 1 X a i I fir fig um I 3 6 m ya T; 0 5/ 551 ATTORNEY) Sept. 15, 1936- G. s. RANSTEAD DISPENSING DEVICE Filed April 20, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY} p 1936- G. s. RANSTEAD DISPENSING DEVICE Filed April 20, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY5 Patented Sept. 15, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Guy S. Ranstead, Waukesha, Wis. Application April 20, 1934, Serial No. 721,467

13 Claims.

This invention relates in general to a device for dispensing carbonated beverages, particularly beer, and more especially aims to provide a practical and simple means for dispensing beer from the keg or other container on the counterpressure principle. In other words, the glass or other drinking vessel which is to be filled with beer is first filled with gas until the pressure in the glass is equal to that on the beer in the container or keg and after-wards beer is transferred from the keg or from a reservoir intermediate the keg and glass tothe glass. By effecting the transfor in this way uncontrolled foaming of the beer is avoided, and each glass is filled with the same amount of beer, all without waste or loss of beer or gas and without deterioration of the quality of the beer or other liquid. Moreover, the extent to which the glass is filled is accurately controlled and after the proper amount of beer has been de- 0 livered into the glass provision is made for the application of a collar or head of foam of controlled extent.

The device of the present invention is easily and .quickly opera-ted when in use. No waiting for foam to settle or removal of such is involved.

Furthermore, the device may be economically manufactured and install-ed.

Other objects and advantages reside in certain novel features of the construction, arrangement and combination of the parts which will be hereinater more particularly described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, refeernce being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which: Figure 1 is a View partly in side elevation and partly in section showing a device embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the structure shown in Figure 1, viewing the structure from the line 2-2 with parts omitted for the sake of simplicity in illustration;

Figure '3 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section taken on line 3- -3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a view inhorizontal section taken on line .44 of Figure 3;

Figure '5 is a similar view taken on line -5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a view partly in elevation and partly in vertical section taken on line 86 of Figure 3; Figure 7 is a view partly in elevation and partly in vertical sect-ion taken on line 'I--7 of Figure 6; and t Figure 8 is a view in top plan of parts shown in Figure 6 and viewed from line 8--8 of such figure.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the device comprises generally a cooling chamher I containing a coil 2, one end of which is connected to the tap rod (not shown) which, it is to be understood, is inserted in the tap fitting 5 of a keg or beer barrel or other container in the usual way. The other end of the coil 2 is connected to a valve 3 which, in turn, communicates with a reservoir 4. A liquid transfer pipe 5 leads from the reservoir and communicates with the 10 dispensing head designated generally at 6.

A mounting plate I is suitably secured to the front of the cooling chamber I and provides the support for the head 6 in that the supporting bracket 9 with which the head 6 is equipped is 1'5 bolted or otherwise suitably fastened to the plate I as indicated at It. r

A vertically slidable bar I2 is mounted in guides or bearings I3 and I4 provided on the plate I and filling head 6, respectively (see Figures 1 20 and 3). This bar I2 is moved up and down under the control of'a hand lever I5 fulcrumed intermediate its ends on the bracket I4 as indicated at I6 in Figure 3. One end of the handle I5 is provided with a. knob I! which may be conveniently grasped and the other end thereof is pivotall-y' connected as at I 8with one end of alink I9, the opposite end of which link I9 is pivotally connected as at 20 to the bar I2. As shown to advantage in Figure 1, the link I9 is provided 30 with a curved or bent portion '2I. As illustrated in Figure 3, the upper portion of the bar I2 is round whereas the lower portion thereof is square or non-circular in cross section. The lower bearing or guide -I3 is also of non-circular cross sec- 35 tion thereby preventing rotation of the bar I2 and constraining it to vertical sliding movement. The lower portion of the bar I2 is provided with ratchet teeth 22. A rest or pad 23 is provided for supporting the glasses G to be filled. The pad 40 23 is mounted for vertical adjustment on the bar I2. As shown in Figures 3 and 6, a supporting stud 24 extends downwardly from the under side of the pad 23 and has its lower section slidably fitted in a bearing 25 provided therefor in an 45 arm 26 of a supporting bracket 21. This stud is, as shown in Figure 6, made up of a plurality of sections pivotallyconnected by means of pivot pins arranged at right angles to each, thereby providing universal mounting for the pad 23. 50 A spring 28 is interposed between the under side of the pad 23 and its supporting arm 26, the ends of the spring fitting over annular guides 29 and 29' provided on the under side of the pad 23 and the upper part of the arm 26. The extent 5 to which the spring 28 urges the pad 23 upwardly is limited by means of a cap 36 threaded on the lower end of the stud 24. The bracket 21 has a bearing or guide 3| slidably embracing the bar l2. A pistol grip 32 is formed integral or otherwise suitably secured to the bearing 3| and in suitable guide-ways provided on the pistol grip and bearing 3|, a shoe or detent 33 is slidably supported, the inner end of the shoe having teeth thereon corresponding to the ratchet teeth of the bar |2 and cooperable therewith to releasably secure the bearing 3| and consequently the bracket arm 26 and pad 23 in any selected vertical adjustment. A spring 34 urges the detent to locking position. For releasing the detent a finger piece or trigger 35 is provided and is so related to the pistol grip 32 that this finger piece and pistol grip may be grasped in the hand so as to release the detent and leave the hand free to adjust the bracket arm 26 together with bearing 3| and supporting pad 23 vertically along the ratchet bar l2. This vertical adjustment adapts the device for use with glasses of different size.

The filling head 6 is shown in advantage in Figures 3 to 6, inclusive, and is provided with a chamber having open communication with the reservoir 4 through the pipe 5 and passage 4| in the head connected to and constituting a continuation of the pipe 5. A liquid delivery or filling tube 42 has a threaded connection 43 with the head 6 and communicates with the lower end of the chamber 40. The lower end of this tube 42 is-provided with a valve seat 44 with which a valve 45 coacts. This valve 45 is carried by the lower end of valve stem 46 which extends up through the tube 42 and through the chamber 46, the upper end of the stem 46 having a head 48 thereon which is fastened as at 49 to the center of a diaphragm 58. The diaphragm 58 is disposed in a chamber 5| and has its periphery clamped between an annular flange 52 integral with the head and the peripheral portion of a cap 53, the flange 54 of which is threadedly engaged with the flange 52. Dowel pins 55 may also be employed to aid in securing the diaphragm in position and preferably a washer 56 is positioned between the periphery of the diaphragm and the cap 53. The gas space of the reservoir 4 communicates with one end of a pipe 56, the oppo-' site end of which pipe connects with a passage 58 provided in the filling head and communicating intermediate its ends with a pipe 59 leading to a gauge 60 (see Figure 6). The inner end of the passage 58 communicates with the chamber 5| on the under side of the diaphragm. The filling head 6 is also provided with a passage 6| angularly spaced from the passage 58 and communicating at its upper end with the chamber 5| on the lower side of the diaphragm (see Figure 3). This passage 6| is provided with a valve seat 62 adjacent its lower end and with this valve seat 62 a gas valve 63 coacts. The valve 63 is mounted on a' stem 63 having a conventional guide wing arrangement 63 adjacent its upper 7 end. The lower end of the stem 63 projects down through a transverse passage 64 and out through an opening 65 in the fillinghead and exteriorly of a sealing washer 66 provided on the lower or under side of the head. The transverse passage 64 communicates with an annular passage 61 formed between the delivery tube 42 and a tubular extension 68 of the filling head constituting a gas delivery tube. Passages 64 and 61 also communicate with a passage 69 extending vertically through the filling head at a point anguarly spaced from the passages 58 and 6|. The passage 69 communicates at its upper end with alined openings 19 formed in the periphery of the diaphragm 56 and its washer 56, these alined openings 16 communicating in turn with an annular groove 1| formed on the inside of the cap 53, which annular groove in turn communicates through transverse passages 12 with the space 13 defined between the under side of the cap 53 and the top side of the diaphragm 50.

A sealing cap 15 is provided on the filling head, this cap having an annular metal member 16 formed with inner and outer annular flanges 11 and 18, the flange 11 being elongated and being slidably fitted on the tubular extension or gas delivery tube. The sealing cap is constrained to sliding movement and is prevented from rotating by means of a key 16' fixed to the extension 68 and operating in a slot 11 in the inner flange 11. Slot 11 also serves as a vent as will hereinafter more fully appear. A collar or nut 19 threaded on the lower end of the tube 68 limits the downward movement of the sealing cap. Within the flanges 11 and 18 a sealing disc 86 of soft rubber or the like is secured. A coil spring BI is partially received in a groove 82 formed in the under side of the-flange 83 provided at the bottom of the filling head and this spring presses down on the metal member of the sealing cap to urge this member downwardly.

The intermediate reservoir 4 is shown to advantage in Figures 6, 7 and 8 and, as there illustrated, may be of sectional construction suitably bolted or fastened together and hermetically sealed and is provided with a gas inlet 85 and a vent 86. It also has the valved controlled connection with the coil 2 hereinabove mentioned. Valves 81 and 88 are provided in the gas inlet 85 and vent 86, these valves coacting with valve seats provided therefor. A float 89 is provided in the reservoir and has an arm 90 fulcrumed as at 9| on the reservoir and formed with portions 92 and 93 coacting with the valves 81 and 88, respectively. When the float 89 rises the portion 92 of its arm opens the valve 81 whereas its portion 93 allows the valve 88 to close. When the float drops this action is reversed.

For the purpose of lifting the float when starting a lifter 95 is provided, this lifter being fixed to one end of a shaft 96 which passes through a. stufiing box provided therefor in the reservoir and which has its exterior portion connected to a handle 91.

When the device is to be put into use the valve 3 is closed and the valve 45 is closed by hand and held closed. The float 89 is then lifted by manipulating the handle 91. This causes the valve 88 toclose and the valve 81 to open. It will be understood that the gas inlet 85 is connected with the same source of gas pressure as that which is employed to put the pressure on the beer in the keg, barrel, or other container. As a consequence the same pressure will soon build up in the reservoir as exists on the beer and this is also true of the chamber 5|. The building up of the pressure in the chamber 5| raises the diaphragm 58 to hold the valve 45 closed. If now the float 89 be lowered, pressure in the reservoir 4 will be reduced due to the closing of the valve 81 and the opening of the vent 86, whereupon valve 3 having been opened, beer will flow into the reservoir 4 and into the chamber 48 of the filling head. It will be appreciated that at such time the pressure on the beer in the reservoir and in the chamber 40 is substantially the same as the' pressure on the beer in the keg or other container. The device is now ready for use as the float 89 will maintain the beer atthe'proper level in the reservoir and consequently also in the chamber 40 and will also maintain the pressure on the beer at the proper value.-

- When the glass is to be filled, it is placed on the pad 23 after the pad has been appropriately adjusted on the bar it; for the size of the glass. The mouth or opening of the glass should clear the lower end of the valve 45'. The knob I! is then grasped and pulled forwardly and downwardly. This acts through the link 18 to raise the pad 23 and cause the upper edge of the glass to rise into engagement with the rubber 80 of the sealing disc 15, thereby sealing the space within the glass. When the knob H has been pulled down through a full movement the pivots i6, I 8 and 20 are so related, that is, the pivot I8 isdisposed above and to the left of the pivot l6, as viewed in Figure 1, which means that the device is self-locking to retain the sealingcap in sealing engagement with the glass. In this connection the universal mounting of the pad 23 and the action of its spring 28 are important since they insure proper sealing engagement. The tension of the spring 28 determines the degree of force with which the lip of the glass is pressed against the rubber 80. The sealing cap 15 having now been raised against the action of its spring H,- the slot 11' is closed by the washer 66 and the metal member of the cap has engaged the stem of the valve 63 and opened this valve.

Gas under pressure will now flow from th reservoir 4 through the pipe 56, passage 58, chamber 5|, passages -61 and 64 and annular passage 61 into the glass. The pressure also passes through passage 69, openings 10, annular groove II and transverse passages 12 to above the diaphragm so that by the time that the pressure in the glass equals that in the reservoir, the pressures on the opposite sides of the diaphragm will be equalized and the diaphragm will flex downwardly under the in-fiuence'of the weight of the valve 45, its stem 46 and head 48 to allow this valve 45 to open, whereupon the beer will flow from the reservoir, through the pipe 5, passage 4|, chamber 40 and filling or delivery tube 42 into the glass. As the beer fills up the glass the gas is displaced through the annular passage 61, passages 54 and 6!, and chamber 5|, and back through the passage 58 into the reservoir. When the level of the beer in the glass rises to the ring or nut 19, the air in the upper part of the glass is trapped and further flow of liquid will cease. The operator then moves the knob 11 back to its original position which lowers the pad 23, together with the sealing cap 15, the cap 15 following the glass down due to the action of the spring 8|. Movement of the sealing cap away from the washer 66 opens up the slot 11' so as to vent the space in the glass above the level of the beer therein before the valve 45 closes. The result of this is the injection of an additional small quantity of beer into that already in the glass which supplies the agitation desirable to place a layer of foam or collar on the top of the beer in the glass which substantially fills the space above the beer previously supplied thereto. As the knob moves on up the pad 23 and cap 15 continue to descend the cap allowing the valve 62 to close andthe pad eventually moving the glass down to the position shown in Figure 3, when it may be conveniently removed. During this time the space above the diaphragm 50 is being vented through the groove I l, openings 10, passage Wand annular passage 61,. with the result that the valve 45- closes at the proper time to prevent undesirable discharge of beer.

If, for any reason it is desired to stop drawing beer before the keg or container is empty the beer in, the reservoir' l and the filling head may be all returned to the keg quickly and easily and without waste by shutting off the supply of air or gas under pressure to the keg and lifting the float 89 to close the vent 86 and open the valve 8-! thereby raising the pressure in" the reservoir and chamber 40 and consequently returning the beer.

Itwill be noted that provision is made for easy andquick access to various parts of the device, that the device is compact and simple, capable of being readily attached to bars or counters now in use, easy and'convenient tooperate and avoids the waste now so prevalent.

With the present invention each glass is filled uniformly with the desired amount of beer. Excessive foaming, overflowing and consequent waste are eliminated and the glass of beer is the same irrespective of whether the keg from which it is dispensed is entirely full or only partly full.

While I have shown and described one construction inwhich the invention may be embodied, it is to be understood that this construction has been selected merely for the purpose of example and illustration, and that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoinedclaims.

The invention claimed is:

1. In a device of the character described, a filling head having gas and liquid delivery tubes, valves for controlling the delivery of gas and liquid through said tubes, a sealing cap shiftably supported on the filling head and adapted to engage the opening of a drinking vessel and seal the same, said sealingcap being operable to open the gas deli-very valve when shifted by virtue of its sealing engagement with the opening of a drinkingvessel, said sealing cap having a vent therein, means on the filling head for closing said vent when the cap has full sealing engagement with the drinking vessel,- said gas delivery tube projecting through the sealing cap and beyond its vent so as to extend into the vessel during the operation of the device, said vent being open at other times whereby at the completion of the vessel filling operation .a slight amount of liquid will be delivered to the vessel at atmospheric pressure to form a head of foam thereon.

A device for dispensing carbonated beverages into drinking vessels comprising an adjustable support for the drinking vessel, a filling head overlying said support, means for moving the support toward and away from the filling head, a sealing cap mounted on the sealing head for sliding movement and operable to engage and seal the opening of the vessel, means operable by the shiitingfmovement of the cap to regulate the supply first of gas under pressure and then of liquid to the vessel, there being means cooperable with the cap to supply a slight amount of liquid tti the vessel at atmospheric pressure to produce a head of foam thereon.

'3. A device of the character described comprising a reservoir, a float controlled valve arrangement for maintaining a predetermined level of liquid and a predetermined gas pressure in said reservoir, a filling head having a liquid chamber in open communication with the liquid space of the reservoir and also having a gas chamber communicating with the gas space of the reservoir, gas and liquid delivery tubes associated with said filling head and communicating with said gas and liquid chambers, respectively; valves controlling the delivery of the gas and liquid from said tubes, a sealing cap mounted on the filling head and adapted to engage the opening of a drinking vessel and seal the same, said sealing cap being operable to open the gas delivery valve when in full sealing engagement with its drinking vessel, and a pressure responsive device connected to the valve controlling the delivery of liquid and communicating with the gas chamber when said gas valve is opened whereby to regulate the supply of gas and liquid from the filling head to the vessel, there being means to cause the liquid delivery tube to supply a small amount of liquid to the vessel at atmospheric pressure to place a head of foam on the liquid in the vessel.

4. A counter-pressure machine for filling drinking vessels with carbonated beverages comprising a filling head having gas and liquid delivery tubes, a sealing cap adapted to engage the opening of a drinking vessel and seal the same, said tubes extending through said cap and projecting therebeyond so that when the vessel has been filled to a predetermined extent the gas delivery tube will trap gas in the upper part of the drinking vessel, said sealing cap having a vent therein, means on the filling head for closing said vent when the cap has full sealing engagement with the drinking vessel, said vent being open at other times whereby at the completion of a counter-pressure filling operation a slight amount of liquid will be delivered to the vessel at atmospheric pressure to form a head of foam thereon.

5. A device for filling vessels with carbonated beverages comprising a filling headhaving gas and liquid filling tubes fixed thereto and projecting therefrom, a sealing cap slidably mounted on the gas filling tube above the delivery end thereof and adapted to have sealing engagement with a vessel, and valve controlled means subject to the control of the cap for causing first gas and then liquid to flow through said tubes when the cap has complete sealing engagement with the'vessel.

6. A device for filling vessels with carbonated beverages comprising a filling head having gas and liquid filling tubes fixed thereto and projecting therefrom, a sealing cap slidably mounted on the gas filling tube above the delivery end thereof and adapted to have sealing engagement with a vessel, valve controlled means subject to the control of the cap for causing first gas and then liquid to flow through said tubes when the cap has complete sealing engagement with the vessel, said cap having a vent to the atmosphere located above the delivery end of the gas delivery tube, and means for closing said vent when the cap has complete sealing engagement with a Vessel, said vent being open at other times.

'7. A counter-pressure machine for filling drinking vessels with carbonated beverages comprising a filling head having gas and liquid delivery tubes, a sealing cap of annular form slidably mounted on said gas delivery tube and having an elastic sealing disc engageable with the margin of the drinking vessel to seal the same, a support for the drinking vessel movable toward and from the filling head and operable to effect sealing engage- 'ment between the vessel and the sealing disc and to force the cap against the filling head and means operated when the cap is forced against the filling head to cause first gas and then liquid to fiow through said tubes.

8. A counter-pressure machine for filling drinking vessels with carbonated beverages comprising a filling head having gas and liquid delivery tubes, a sealing cap of annular form slidably mounted on said gas delivery tube and having an elastic sealing disc engageable with the margin of the drinking vessel to seal the same, a support for the drinking vessel movable toward and from the filling head and operable to effect sealing engagement between the vessel andthe sealing disc and to force the cap against the filling head to cause first gas and then liquid to flow through said tubes, said cap having a vent therethrough located above the delivery end of the gas tube, and means for closing said vent when the cap is forced against the filling head, said vent being open at other times.

9. A device of the character described comprising a filling head having gas and liquid delivery tubes, valves controlling the flow of gas and liquid through said tubes, a sealing cap adapted to have sealing engagement with a drinking vessel and operable at such times to effect opening of said valve, in combination with a supporting pad for drinking vessels underlying the filling head, a bracket on which said supporting pad is yieldably mounted, a bar to which said bracket is adjustably secured, means for constraining the bar to vertical movement relative to the filling head, a hand operated lever, and a link between the lever and the bar.

10. In combination with a filling head having gas and liquid delivery tubes, an annular sealing cap mounted for sliding movement toward and away from the filling head and having an elastic sealing disc, a support for the vessels, a bracket, a yieldable and universal mounting between the support and the bracket, a bar, means constraining the bar to movement along lines parallel to the axis of the filling head, means adjustably connecting the bracket to the bar, and manually operable means for moving the bar whereby the operator may cause the support to move the vessel into engagement with the sealing cap and effect filling of the same.

11. A device of the character described comprising a filling head having gas and liquid delivery tubes fixed thereto and projecting therefrom, valve controlled means for regulating the flow of gas and liquid through said tubes and including a stem projecting from said filling head, a sealing cap slidably mounted on one of said tubes and adapted to have sealing engagement with the vessel to be filled, a support for the vessel movable toward and from said cap and said filling head to bring the vessel into sealing engagement with the cap and to force the cap into engagement with said stem to cause gas and liquid to flow through said tubes, and means for moving said support toward and away from said filling head.

12. A counter-pressure machine for filling drinking vessels with carbonated beverages comprising a filling head having gas and liquid delivery tubes fixed'thereto and projecting therefrom, valve controlled means for regulating the fiow of gas and liquid through said tubes and including a stem projecting from said filling head, a sealing cap slidably mounted on one of the tubes and adapted to have sealing engagement with the drinking vessel to be filled and also adapted to be forced against the stem and the filling head to cause gas and liquid to fiow through said tubes.

a support for the vessel movable toward and away from the cap and head to bring the vessel into sealing engagement with the cap and to cause the cap to be moved against the stem and filling head, said cap having a vent therethrough, and means on the filling head for closing the vent when the cap is forced against the filling head.

13. A device for filling drinking vessels with carbonated beverages comprising a filling head having a liquid space and a gas chamber, a liquid delivery tube communicating with said liquid space and projecting from said head, a gas delivery tube surrounding the liquid tube and projecting from the head, a valve at the delivery end of the liquid tube for controlling the flow of liquid therefrom, a. pressure responsive device connected to said valve and subjected to the pressure in the gas chamber whereby to close the valve, said head having passages extending from said gas chamber to the gas delivery tube and to the opposite side of the pressure responsive device from the gas chamber, a valve controlling the flow of gas through said passages, a sealing cap slidably mounted on the gas tube and adapted to have sealing engagement with a drinking vessel, said sealing cap being operable to open the gas valve when in full sealing engagement with its drinking vessel, said gas delivery tube projecting through the cap and extending into the drinking vessel when the cap has sealing engagement therewith, said cap having a vent to the atmosphere, and means on the head for closing the vent when the sealing cap has full sealing engagement with the drinking vessel.

GUY S. RANSTEAD. 

